Fix Decimal Commas and Thousands Separators in CSV Numbers

What the error actually means

The comma can be both a CSV delimiter and a decimal separator. A value such as 1.234,56 may mean one thousand two hundred thirty-four point five six, while 1,234.56 expresses the same value in another convention. Conversion requires a known locale, not a global character replacement.

Likely causes

• Files from different locales were merged.
• Numeric fields were exported as formatted display text.
• A comma-decimal value was not quoted in a comma-delimited file.
• Currency symbols and non-breaking spaces remain in the column.

A safe repair workflow

1. 1Identify the source convention from documentation and known values.
2. 2Parse grouping and decimal symbols as one locale-specific rule.
3. 3Output plain numbers in the destination’s required convention.
4. 4Check totals and min/max values before import.

How to verify the result

A file that downloads successfully is not automatically a correct file. Check the result at both the structural and business-data levels:

• Known sample values retain their magnitude.
• Negative values remain negative.
• Totals reconcile with the source.
• The CSV field count remains consistent.